Norwich born, but now resident in London, trumpeter Freddie Gavita has been building quite a reputation for himself, as a great new talent to watch. In truth he has been on the last the scene for a decade or so but has now chosen to release his debut album as leader, Transient on Froggy Records.

To celebrate the occasion, Freddie will be launching the album at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London on the 19th April, a place in which he should feel right at home as a member of the Ronnie Scott's Club Quintet as well a being a bandleader in his own right.

Of his top ten favourite albums, Freddie says:

LOUIS ARMSTRONG - The Gold CollectionI know this isn’t strictly an album, but it was a compilation cassette that I was given by my mum when I took up the trumpet aged 7. It had everything from the hot fives and sevens through to the 60s band. Miles Davis summed up jazz in four words; “Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker,” and I feel lucky that my first exposure to this music was the greatest (in my eyes!). I always come back to him.

CHARLIE PARKER - Charlie Parker with StringsThis was the first time I heard Bird on a better quality recording, and it really helped me to find a way into his world when I was in my teens. His playing is of course, exquisite, and the strings provide such a glorious backdrop for those trademarks flurries.

COUNT BASIE - Breakfast, Dance & BarbecueAs a trumpeter I’ve spent a lot of time in big bands, and this album really got me fired up as a kid. The Basie band was famed for its unquestionable swing and impeccable ensemble playing, and this really showed me what big band was about. The band is on fine form on this album, and they play a lot of my favourite charts including “The Deacon” and “Who, Me?”

WAYNE SHORTER- Speak No EvilThis album could have been recorded yesterday, it always sounds so fresh to me. I love Wayne’s compositions, they always have a unique melodic idea disguising a more complicated chord progression. I love the interaction on the record, Herbie, Elvin, Freddie Hubbard who is one of my idols, the way they bounce off each other on this album is ground breaking.

ART BLAKEY - Live at Birdland Vol. 1I had never heard anything like this, Clifford Brown on this album was mind blowing for me. An almost algebraic approach to jazz, but with so much heart and soul. I had never though of writing melodies over pre existing chord sequences until I heard this, so that was a revelation. Also just listening to Blakey’s hi-hat, it’s fierce!

JOHN COLTRANE - Coltrane’s SoundLike Speak No Evil, this album as an incredible amount of original compositions that made it into the standard jazz repertoire, as well as a heartbreaking reimagining of Body and Soul. I had never heard intensity like this, the way Trane reveals his ideas, harmonic ideas that were so far beyond what my ears could understand. Part of me never wanted to know what it was so the mystery continued.

JONI MITCHELL - Both Sides NowI had never heard Joni before, and this incredibly well conceived album telling the story of romance from the thrill of the chase to the more philosophical mindset after love was lost really captured my imagination of how to put an album together in a way that tells a story. She gets inside every word, makes you feel everything she’s singing, and the arrangements by Vince Mendoza are sublime. What a hero!

LEE KONITZ - Live at the Half NoteThis is a bootlegged gig with Lee, Warne Marsh, Bill Evans, Jimmy Garrison and Paul Motian. The swing, the space between phrases, the patience, the pure improvisational approach over standards, it really inspired me. I love Warne’s warm sound, and Bill Evans playing probably more rhythmically interestingly than I’d heard before. I got to play an unaccompanied duet with Lee at the Royal Academy of Music when I was studying there, and his uncompromising approach really drew ideas out of me I never knew were in there, so it made me really want to check him out more.

CHARLIE HADEN - American DreamsAnother album with strings, I always put this album on after a loud gig to help me recalibrate. This album really helped me understand Michael Brecker’s playing, as I had never been a fan until I heard this. He is in full melodic flow here, and with Brad Mehldau in a suitably understated mood as well, they really create something special. Sometimes you just need to chill out, and this is the perfect record for me.​MILES DAVIS - Live EvilI couldn’t leave out Miles Davis, and this album captures him in the electric period perfectly. An incredible blend of studio and live performances, the grooves are deep and the fire is definitely lit. The ballad “Little Church” by Hermeto Pascoal is one of my favourite compositions ever. This album was a massive influence on me, especially Miles’ use of the wah-wah as I use it in Mark Fletcher’s fusion band “Fletch’s Brew.”

For more information visit Freddie's website & click on the album cover to read our review.